His wife says he was poisoned in Moscow on Tuesday

Artikel von: Paul Ronzheimer veröffentlicht am 15.09.2018 - 22:52 Uhr

He became world famous for invading the pitch during the World Cup final in Moscow. A few days ago, he was hospitalized in Moscow with “signs of poisoning”. Now Pyotr Verzilov (30), husband of “Pussy Riot” lead singer Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (28), has arrived in Berlin via air ambulance. He will be treated by specialists in Berlin.

The plane from Moscow landed at 22:45 at Schönefeld Airport. Pyotr Verzilov’s mother, Jelena, was also on board.

The incident has caused a stir worldwide due to speculations that Pyotr Verzilov may have been the next victim of poisoning following the attack on former double agent Sergei Skripal (67) in the United Kingdom.

The situation is serious. According to the Russian news website “Meduza”, Verzilov first showed symptoms following court proceedings against fellow “Pussy Riot” member Veronika Nikulshina on Tuesday. Family members said that Verzilov first lost his vision, “then his ability to speak, then his ability to walk”.

Pyotr Verzilov's wife Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, shortly before the arrival of her husband in BerliFoto: BILD

His wife Nadezhda has also spoken publicly of poisoning and tweeted yesterday that her husband is “in the toxicology department in a very serious condition”. Yesterday, she waited for her husband at Berlin-Schönefeld and told BILD: “I assume that he was deliberately poisoned and that this is either intimidation or even attempted murder”.

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Pyotr Verzilov could only be flown out because “Cinema for Peace” founder, Jaka Bizilj, has supported “Pussy Riot” for years and is in close contact with its members. Bizilj told BILD: “It was important for the family that he be treated outside of Russia as soon as possible. Hence we as ‘Cinema for Peace’ sent an air ambulance to Moscow. We now hope that he will receive help in Berlin quickly and that it will be determined whether he was poisoned in Russia – and how”.

﻿BILD has learned that the Chancellery and the Foreign Office are also involved in this highly political case. Pyotr Verzilov will be treated by a specialist in Berlin who has treated several victims of poisoning in the past.﻿

By storming the pitch at the World Cup final, Verzilov was protesting against the Russian government. He was subsequently sentenced to 15 days’ imprisonment.